11.29.2008

How to fill a vintage compact.

Gather all materials. You will need: loose powder, rubbing alcohol, new powder puff or sponge to fit in compact, spoon, small bowl, scrap of fabric, and an item such as a knife or thick paper for smoothing.

First thing to do is wash out your vintage compact very well. Bacteria can spread through the leftover makeup so make sure it is washed with soap and let to dry.

Scoop some powder into a small bowl.

Add about a cap full of liquid to the powder.

Mix to a thick paste. You will need to add more powder and liquid as you mix to reach the correct consistancy.

Scoop the paste in and spread the paste around the dish and press a little to make sure there are no empty bubbles hiding.Smooth out the top with a flat item such as the back if a knife or strong piece of paper.

This step is optional, but I like it because it feels more finished.Take a scrap of cloth (a woven cotton will work best) and lay it on the powder. Press gently onto to cloth with your fingers, making a mark in the powder. If the powder is of the correct thickness, then it will not stick.

Now you have that professional "woven" look.

Set it in a safe dry place for about 24 hours and after that you are ready to go! As with any other pressed powder compact, be careful not to bang it around in your purse, or drop it as the powder will break. But if that does happen you can just do the process over again reusing the broken powder.

I love airspun, but I'd never think to do this!! Now I need to start looking for a vintage compact!

For my airspun I punch holes in the plastic with a pin, it gives it that sifter effect. All you have to do is shake the container back and forth a bit, then use a big puff brush to scoop up the makeup!

Voice of experience here. The best way to do this is to (if possible) track down a powder pan that fits in the vintage compact. Rimmel Stay Matte and NYC Color Wheel Mosaic fit the larger ones, and the smaller ones may take a standard size powder pan from a drugstore compact. Moisten the powder with very little alcohol, to form a stiff dough, and press it firmly into the powder pan or the compact, to reduce shrinkage and cracking of the powder.

Wow! I have a gorgeous one in my bag, it's slightly tarnished gold with flowers on, soo cute, and I've wanted to fill it for ages! I'm totally trying this out when I get the chance! Thank you sooo much! :)

Fabulous site and solid information.I have a plethora of powder compacts that I have collected, (jewelled, plain, a big round Max Factor one which I am quite partial to - called a headlight I think at the time-it has where the mirror should be cut out newspaper direction to the Cotton Club and a few others from 1940's NY Daily News)Now I can go fill them all up, thanks to your precise instructions. Hopefully I can find an online store that still sells Coty "Rachael" face powder loose.

Thank you so much for this. I have a beautiful Stratton compact and I put loose powder in it and it was just messy even with the screen it came with. I shall try this method and hope it works out for me. Again thank you!

I done this; but reused a newer compact that I used all the powder from. :) You saved me $9! I already had loose powder laying around I didn't use so I made a new compact cake with it. I was absolutely in love with your blog when I discovered it via pinterest. You are a very talented lady; brava! :)